Bloodshot #4 - BOOK DISCUSSION

[BugsySig]

And Pulse's powers don't just work on machines, apparently. She can also toast people's heads up close.

Makes sense. A concentrated EMP should interfere with the electrical signals in the brain and nervous system, as well as effect the internal organs.

And, sorry if I am the one being dense here, but I don't see how can deliniate the timelines any better than saying "Three Years Ago" and "Now" along with having a different artist on the flashbacks.

[SJS4]

I am not sure Pulse was supposed to kill Bloodshot, tbh. Even though that may have been her instructions its possible (likely?) PRS knows that even if "killed" while his nanites are inactive, this would just temporarily disable Bloodshot. The "goldies" started up pretty quickly after pulse used her powers in this issue.

[Carson]

And Pulse's powers don't just work on machines, apparently. She can also toast people's heads up close.

Yeah, his brain didn't look like it had any electronics in it

That panel immediately made me think of Psylock's psi-blade (in a good way).

Did he die from that? Kinda hope not.

[Elveen]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

[pixierosa]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

[Carson]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She did try to call a Harada. I think it was Tony? Is Tony a nickname for Toyo? I found that odd.

[MarrowMan]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She did try to call a Harada. I think it was Tony? Is Tony a nickname for Toyo? I found that odd.

The person on the other end of the convo probably confused Toyo with Tony, by not hearing it correctly, or by being an ignorant cow.

[Elveen]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She is a harby (psiot) for sure. We talked about this on the podcast, I'm thinking she is a harby.


I wonder if down the line she will team up with Pete.

[BugsySig]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She did try to call a Harada. I think it was Tony? Is Tony a nickname for Toyo? I found that odd.

The person on the other end of the convo probably confused Toyo with Tony, by not hearing it correctly, or by being an ignorant cow.

I thought maybe she got info about Harada from someone else (or through the foundation itself) when she was younger, and couldnt remember the name properly. And since she was off the grid for 3 years, the person on the other end was just brushing her off. Just a thought

[Blood of Heroes]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She did try to call a Harada. I think it was Tony? Is Tony a nickname for Toyo? I found that odd.

The person on the other end of the convo probably confused Toyo with Tony, by not hearing it correctly, or by being an ignorant cow.

I've only read through it once, but that's how I took it.

[Zaphod]

I am not sure Pulse was supposed to kill Bloodshot, tbh. Even though that may have been her instructions its possible (likely?) PRS knows that even if "killed" while his nanites are inactive, this would just temporarily disable Bloodshot. The "goldies" started up pretty quickly after pulse used her powers in this issue.

This is a good point but raises the question why did he think EMP + shot to the head would kill BS this time if it wouldn't last time? I can buy that shutting down the goldies with an EMP and then shooting him in the head wouldn't necessarily kill him because the goldies do reboot pretty quick and though I don't know what the time of gsw to the head to complete death is...it could be that the goldies could repair the damage in time to save BS.

Ugh that sentence is confusing. Basically if shutting down the nanites with EMP and GSW to the head didn't kill him in the past, why try it now to kill him?

[jmatt]

IMO, this was the best of the Bloodshot issues so far. More clear to follow and still good action. I think there was more story elements in this issue. I still think the beginning of the book (issues) is too confusing. This one sorta tied some things together and set A CLEAR expectation of what is coming next.

I think they DID set up why the ambulance chick is staying (have BS heal her fam). I do like Pulse with BS, although her power does kind cancel out what BS does.

Bloodshot, for me, is still not close to Harby and XO. But I like it more now after this issue.

I concur. Really enjoyed this issue and am looking forward to the continuation. I assumed that they would keep the ambulance chick on to serve as a type of conscience/humanity gauge for Bloodshot. Having her be both a veteran and an EMT gives her the right kind of experience to deal with their situation w/o going into shock. Much more believable than him teaming up with the average citizen. They've also given a plausible reason for her to continue to stick by his side, because it's not for the warm fuzzies.

I like Pulse as well. The one thing that bothered me was that she matured an awful lot in 3 years. She appeared to be around 10 in the flashback, and she seems older in maturity and physical appearance than a 13 year old. Just my take on it.

She's a Harby kid, right? I only read the book once, and I don't have it for reference, but didn't Pulse try to call Harada?

She did try to call a Harada. I think it was Tony? Is Tony a nickname for Toyo? I found that odd.

The person on the other end of the convo probably confused Toyo with Tony, by not hearing it correctly, or by being an ignorant cow.

I've only read through it once, but that's how I took it.

Same here. Toyo being an unfamiliar name to a westerner, she remembered it as Tony.

[Chiclo]

I was left with the impression that Melissa had only heard the name from some other source and had not met Toyo herself and somehow either was told wrong or remembered wrong the name.

[hawkeyeps]

I am not sure Pulse was supposed to kill Bloodshot, tbh. Even though that may have been her instructions its possible (likely?) PRS knows that even if "killed" while his nanites are inactive, this would just temporarily disable Bloodshot. The "goldies" started up pretty quickly after pulse used her powers in this issue.

Maybe that's how PRS controlled Bloodshot- program him with false memories and send him on mission/rampage, then the only way to reset his programing would be to kill him so PRS could load new memories/missions. Every mission would end with him dying. PRS controlled the scenario with the false memories and always had a "suprise your dead!" moment planned in advance so Bloodshot could be reset for the next mission.

[Savant]

I was left with the impression that Melissa had only heard the name from some other source and had not met Toyo herself and somehow either was told wrong or remembered wrong the name.

When I originally saw that bit, I assumed she probably was told the name correctly back when she was a smaller child, but her memory got hazy over time (And due to her age), so she incorrectly remembered it as "Tony" and not Toyo.

[agent_graves]

Bloodshot has been my least favorite of the bunch, but I really liked this issue, really looking forward to #5.

[myron]

And Pulse's powers don't just work on machines, apparently. She can also toast people's heads up close.

makes sense considering how the human brain sends signals...

[carter3175]

I like the pace of this book. It was a good read and it looks like its about to go in overdrive. This book was my favorite until Harbinger took that spot. I'm waiting for the book where BS goes balls to the wall and just explode.

[bonsaisamurai]

I've read this issue a few times and I still can't figure something out - how does Kara get to the desert to rescue Bloodshot from the ambulance wreck? She seems to appear out of nowhere in the desert holding that great big gun. There's nothing to indicate that she was in the ambulance or that she followed Bloodshot from that family's house. Did she drive out there after the EMP blast? Am I missing something that should be totally obvious?

[Bl00dsh0t]

I miss the earlier arcs of Bloodshot. The art fit the story and was well executed (unlike the Mission Improbable crossover for instance) and the writing was really good. You got the impression that this was a title that was heading somewhere special.
Not to take anything away from HARD Corps, as I thought the transition to the title was a logical progression and now to Bloodshot’s involvement with Unity but the original pre Harbinger Wars issues were some of the best of the Valiant line imho.
Of these earlier arcs I hope Valiant address:

- the ‘cover-up’ of the town where all the inhabitants were killed off by PRS (and BS)
- Kara’s brother (was rumoured as a HARD CORPS member but didn’t eventuate)
- The nanites at the research facility which lead to a full scale eradication of PRS employees
- More on Bloodshot’s identity, does he know who he is yet? Kozol gave him some dogtags when he officially teamed with HARD Corps but we didn’t really see much from then